World War II Veterans

[chel 316]

Del

[chel 316]

Pyotr Shikhov, the oldest veteran of the Great Patriotic War in the Sverdlovsk region, died in Irbit on 13 January 2023. On 25 December 2022, he turned 106 years old.

tagilcity.ru

 

Mentioned here

The 100 Club

[Ulitzer95 10,921]

On 27/11/2022 at 18:23, Ulitzer95 said:

Greetings and welcome!

I'll try and do my best on this one:


UK
*there are no living members of the Royal Family who served following the deaths of Prince Philip in 2021 and Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
*there are no living former Cabinet ministers who served.
*there are 2 living former MPs who served – Sir Patrick Duffy (b. 1920) and Ben Ford (b. 1925).
*there is still 1 current member of the House of Lords who served – Lord Christopher (b. 1925); and there are 5 living formers members of the Lords who served – 21st Baron Saye and Sele (b. 1920), 11th Earl of Elgin (b. 1924), 9th Baron Walsingham (b. 1925), 8th Marquess of Ailesbury (b. 1926) and 13th Earl of Airlie (b. 1926)
*there are no living former MEPs who served.

USA
*there is 1 living former President who served – Jimmy Carter (b. 1924).
*there are no living former Vice Presidents who served following the death of George H. W. Bush in 2018.
*there are 2 living former Cabinet members who served – Henry Kissinger (b. 1923) and Ray Marshall (b. 1928).
*there are 8 living former members of the House of Representatives who served – Al Quie (b. 1923), Frank Joseph Guarini (b. 1924), G. William Whitehurst (b. 1925), Lucien Nedzi (b. 1925), Benjamin B. Blackburn (b. 1927), Arthur Ravenel Jr. (b. 1927), Austin Murphy (b. 1927) and James W. Symington (b. 1927).
*there are 2 living former Senators who served – James Buckley (b. 1923) and Daniel Evans (b. 1925).
*there are 8 living former Governors who served – Al Quie (b. 1923), Jimmy Carter (b. 1924), Ted Schwinden (b. 1925), Daniel Evans (b. 1925), George Ariyoshi (b. 1926), Phil Batt (b. 1927), George Nigh (b. 1927) and Winfield Dunn (b. 1927).
*there are no living former justices of the Supreme Court who served following the death of John Paul Stevens in 2019.

Arthur Ravenel Jr. (wiki) dead at 95.

15 remaining in the States.

[Ulitzer95 10,921]

On 07/04/2021 at 21:40, arghton said:

I was wondering how many recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross are alive or could be alive...

What I found:

 

 

WIKIPEDIA: Hugo Broch (born 1922) Luftwaffe ace. Still looked great at 95. Most likely won't die off radar.

 

Heinz Rafoth (born 1923) According to warrelics.eu, was alive in 2020

Lorenz Neumayr (born 1926) Mentioned possibly alive on the same site. However in a later post it is mentioned that he is probably dead.

 

Ones that have died since January 2020:

Jakob Kuchar (1923-2020) Mentioned alive in 2020, but I can't find any other source confirming this Died on 1st of January 2020.

Paul-Georg Kleffel (1920-2020) Died on 19th of February 2020.

Ludwig Bauer (1923-2020) Died on 20th of May 2020.

WIKIPEDIA: Karl-Günther von Hase (1917-2021) German Ambassador to the United Kingdom 1970-1977. Died on 9th of May 2021.

Gerhard Zoppoth (1923-2021) Mentioned alive by warrelics eu in 2020. Died on 13th of September 2021.

Johann Hans Trummer (1920-2022) According to the same site, was alive in 2020. Died on the 1st of March 2022.

Helmut Wieselhuber (1922-2022) Once rumored to have died in 2007. Mentioned alive by the axishistory forum in 2010 and by warrelics.eu in 2020. Died on the 20th of May 2022.

Confirmation that Heinz Rafoth is still alive with a new photo in a 100th birthday report.

[arghton 6,114]

Likely only him and Broch left. 

 

 

Some interesting or uninteresting European names that as far as I know have never been mentioned here before:

 

Miloslav Masopust - 98-year-old Czechoslovak Army Corps officer. Promoted to Brig. Gen in 2005, Maj. Gen in 2019 and to the rank of Lieutenant General in 2022. Looked fine in October, check again when he's promoted to Army General.

Agadadash Samedov - Decorated Azerbaijani veteran. 99 in March.

Veljko Bulajić - A resistance fighter/child soldier in WWII, but more known for directing Yugoslavia's four most viewed films. UNESCO Kalinga prize recipient. Looked fine in October, 95 in March.

Aris Poulianos - Greek archaeologist, anthropologist. Most known for studying the Petralona skull. And of course also known for controversy on the age of the skull. 98 and seemingly still active.

[drol 10,027]

Italian partisan Francesca Laura Fabbri Wronowski dead at 99.

 

As for remaining notable women partisans (at least an Italian wiki article):

 

1)Maria Lisa Cinciari Rodano (1921): former deputy and MEP

2)Paola Del Din (1923)

3)Walkiria Terradura (1924): likely the most prominent living name.

4)Ivanne Trebbi (1928): former deputy.

[The Immortal 528]

Bataan Death March survivor Paul Kerchum died at the age of 102 last month according to https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3277537/famed-airman-cmsgt-paul-kerchum-laid-to-rest-with-full-military-honors/.

 

Considering around 75,000 American and Filipino troops were in the Bataan Death March and around 20,000 were killed. I think it's quite reasonable to say that Paul Kerchum was one of the last if not the last American survivor of the Bataan Death March. Not sure if any Filipino survivors are still alive.

[arghton 6,114]

WWII Navajo code talker John Kinsel Sr. turns 106. As mentioned before there are 3 living World War Two Navajo code talkers left from the 400:

John Kinsel Sr., 106

Thomas H. Begay, 95/98

Peter MacDonald, 94, Navajo Nation crook lord who was once in jail but released 22 years ago due to "failing health" after suffering several heart attacks. Also has diabetes and arthritis, but isn't very frail.

[arghton 6,114]

Floyd Wigfield, D-Day veteran died in January at 104.

He was one of the 4 WWII veterans Trump hosted in the Oval Office in 2019:

Left to right

Sidney Walton (1919-2021)

Allen Jones (1924)

Paul Kriner (1916-2019)

Floyd Wigfield (1918-2023)

[Ulitzer95 10,921]

1 hour ago, arghton said:

Floyd Wigfield, D-Day veteran died in January at 104.

He was one of the 4 WWII veterans Trump hosted in the Oval Office in 2019:

Left to right

Sidney Walton (1919-2021)

Allen Jones (?)

Paul Kriner (1916-2019)

Floyd Wigfield (1918-2023)

Allen Q. Jones (b. April 11, 1924) of Dunbar, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

The baby of the group. Obit for his wife, Nancy Jones, who died in February 2021, aged 91. Mentions Allen as surviving her. Further press coverage of Allen Jones from July 2021 here.

I would say most certainly still alive.

[DoorSlammer 421]

On 11/11/2021 at 00:48, Ulitzer95 said:

Simone Segouin (b. 1925, wiki)

Simone Segouin dead at 97.

[YoungWillz 18,939]

On 21/02/2023 at 10:47, DoorSlammer said:

Simone Segouin dead at 97.

Simone Segouin is a DDP pick and the Times QO: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/simone-segouin-obituary-7gttdq2s5

[heiheiheihei 104]

The Norwegian veteran Monrad Mosberg, who took part in the invasion of Normandy in 1944, has died. He was 105 years old.

[Sir Creep 7,011]

Jack Holder, a Pearl Harbor survivor who went on become a decorated World War II flyer who flew over 100 missions in the Pacific and European theaters, has died in Arizona. He was 101.

He died at Friday at a hospital in the Phoenix (AZ) suburb of Chandler. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial also announced the death. Born to a farming family in Gunter, Texas, Holder joined the Navy in 1940 when he was 18.

He was on duty at Ford Island within Oahu’s Pearl Harbor when Japanese aircraft bombed the U.S. naval base on Dec. 7, 1941.

“The first bomb that fell on Pearl Harbor was about 100 yards from me,” Holder said, adding that he “saw guys swimming through burning oil in the water.”

SC

[Sir Creep 7,011]

From the obit posted above:

”The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t have statistics for how many Pearl Harbor survivors are still living.”

 

REALLY?  Who the hell are we supposed to ask??  That’s out and out negligence.  Goddamn ‘Murica’.

[The Immortal 528]

I'd say around 20 Pearl Harbor survivors left but even that seems to be optimistic.

 

Could only confirm around 10 alive as of 2022.

 

Louis Conter (101) - USS Arizona survivor

Ken Potts (101) - USS Arizona survivor

Joseph Eskenazi (105) - Oldest known survivor

Freeman Johnson (101)

Sterling Cale (101)

Horace Hamilton (98)

Herbert Elfring (100)

Bob Batterson (101)

Ike Schab (102)

Mal Middlesworth (100)

 

[The Old Crem 3,164]

1 hour ago, TheSpinosaurus said:

I'd say around 20 Pearl Harbor survivors left but even that seems to be optimistic.

 

Could only confirm around 10 alive as of 2022.

 

Louis Conter (101) - USS Arizona survivor

Ken Potts (101) - USS Arizona survivor

Joseph Eskenazi (105) - Oldest known survivor

Freeman Johnson (101)

Sterling Cale (101)

Horace Hamilton (98)

Herbert Elfring (100)

Bob Batterson (101)

Ike Schab (102)

Mal Middlesworth (100)

 

That’s only for veterans. There were quite a few women on the base bound to be some of those still alive. 

[DaDeathGuy 202]

1 minute ago, The Old Crem said:

That’s only for veterans. There were quite a few women on the base bound to be some of those still alive. 

And should we also count the kids there for Bring your son to work Day? It's fair to just have it for veterans.

[Gisooo 2,525]

Israeli army colonel during World War II Alex Ziloni (Wiki) dead at 107

 

[Gisooo 2,525]

On 09/12/2022 at 09:52, arghton said:

Albania's National Liberation Movement has only one known remaining veteran, Ismet Elezi.

 

Astrit Leka (born December 1924) is still alive at 98 in Switzerland. 

National Liberation Movement veteran and professor!

 

[drol 10,027]

On 03/11/2022 at 01:58, arghton said:

Andrey Titenko, oldest living Hero of the Soviet Union, dead at 103 according to TASS. Previously known as Andrey Titanko on Wikipedia and the Living Centenarians list.

On 18 March 1945, during the East Prussian offensive, Titenko served as the commander of a battery of 45 mm anti-tank guns within the 6th Red Banner Rifle Regiment. He distinguished himself during a battle for the fortified stronghold at the town of Deutsch Thierau in Königsberg. Bursting the guns, calculation was cut off from the rifle units. Having organized a perimeter defense, the five-man gun crew under his command managed to repel the attack by two platoons of German infantry. They killed 80 enemy soldiers and destroyed four machine gun emplacements.

 

Not sure who the new oldest living Hero of the Soviet Union is, but could be WWII pilot, Colonel General, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force of the Soviet Union 1980-1986 Vasily Reshetnikov who'll be 103 next month.

 

Edit: Reshetnikov probably is the oldest one now. Colonel General Ivan Gaidaenko is a bit older but as far as I know isn't a Hero of the Soviet Union. 

Vasily Reshetnikov dead at 103.

[maryportfuncity 9,984]

On 09/12/2022 at 17:52, arghton said:

Albania's National Liberation Movement has only one known remaining veteran, Ismet Elezi.

 

 

Heard a rumour this morning that he's performed one more beach landing...crawled out of a dinghy in Dover!

[Hurri Khan 31]

On 03/11/2022 at 02:58, arghton said:

Edit: Reshetnikov probably is the oldest one now. Colonel General Ivan Gaidaenko is a bit older but as far as I know isn't a Hero of the Soviet Union. 

 

By the way, Gaidaenko passed away on March 7. He had turned 104 a few days before.

https://www.mk.ru/politics/2023/03/10/stalo-izvestno-gde-budet-pokhoronen-veteran-vov-generalpolkovnik-aviacii-ivan-gaydaenko.html

[arghton 6,114]

On 15/10/2021 at 19:34, arghton said:

Going through people interviewed in the "Sata tarinaa sodasta" ("One hundred stories about war") Ilta-Sanomat interviews in 2017. These 100 Finnish war veterans/people who experienced the war were interviewed, interesting to see how many are still alive:

 

Part 1:

  Reveal hidden contents

1. Jaakko Estola (1918-) Captain, friend of late president Mauno Koivisto

2. Heikki Mälkki (1924-2021) Sub-lieutenant, Justice of the Supreme Court of Finland 1971-1982 and President of the Court of Appeal (Helsinki) 1982-1988

3. Irma Lähdesmäki (1926-) Lotta Svärd auxiliary paramilitary member 1936-1944

4. Sakari Sippola (1925-2018) Sergeant, Hallintoneuvos of the Supreme Administrative Court 1976-1995

5. Erkki Mäkilä (1924-) Private

6. Reino Kurvinen (1924-) Alikersantti/undersergeant

7. Veikko Määttänen (1918-) Staff Sergeant

8. Antti Henttonen (1922-2022) Lieutenant, counsellor of education, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Opettaja (Teacher) from 1953 to 1983 and the first person to shake hands with the president of Finland at the Independence Day Reception of 2011

9. Frans Krogell (1921-2019) Sergeant, war invalid

10. Matti Aitto-Oja (1920-2021) Vääpeli/first sergeant and the last living veteran of JR 12

11. Aira Kojo (1931-) Pikkulotta of Lotta Svärd

12. Olli Vuorio (1919-) Major

13. Olavi Sorvari (1925-) Alikersantti/undersergeant

14. Olavi Aulamo (1925-) Sergeant

15. Lars Löflund (1923-) Lieutenant

16. Ilmari Koppinen (1918-) Senior lieutenant, runner and record breaking centenarian sportperson

17. Ahti Jokinen (1924-2017) Private, died before the interviews were released

18. Olli Hovi (1924-) Alikersantti/underlieutenant

19. Kaarina Peltola (1926-) Lotta Svärd member

20. Olavi Lösönen (1926-2019) Sergeant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inY1AxLjbbY (Interviews 1-20, missing captions)

Jaakko Estola (see spoiler) WWII vet, war invalid, agronomist and good friend of late Finnish President Mauno Koivisto (1923-2017) dead at 104.

[YoungWillz 18,939]

On 16/09/2021 at 21:40, arghton said:

Emil Boček (1923-) Last Czech RAF pilot

Emil Bocek reportedly dead: